Insulated Cup Holder

ABSTRACT

An insulated cup holder includes an outer shell, an inner shell connected to and spaced from the outer shell, and a spacer. The outer shell includes an outer shell sidewall, an inside surface of which defines an interior space of the outer shell. The inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall, an upper peripheral edge of which defines an open receiving end. An inside surface of the inner shell sidewall defines an open interior space. An area defined by the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall is larger than that defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall, such that the inner shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge to the lower peripheral edge. The inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell. The spacer is configured to be arranged in contact with and extending inward from the inner shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/338,354, which was filed on Oct. 29, 2016, which in turn is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 62/248,958, which was filed on Oct. 30, 2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cup holders and in particular to an insulated holder for a drinking cup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many beverages are prepared and served either cold or hot, and people prefer that drinks prepared this way remain cold or hot during consumption. Such drinks are easily provided at a desired temperature, but depending on ambient temperature and serving conditions, the drinks can quickly lose the desired temperature. Conventional insulated cups provide some ability to retain the temperature of the enclosed beverage, but improved temperature retention is often desired.

Insulated sleeves, commonly known, for example, as “koozies”, provide some insulation while also protecting a drinker's hand from hot or cold temperatures. Conventional cup holders exist, but are typically designed such that the drinking cup enclosed by the holder rests against the bottom of the holder. Such contact can reduce the thermal insulation of the cup from the cup holder, and can provide instability when the cup holder is tilted while drinking. A need remains for an improved cup holder that securely retains the drinking cup in a position that keeps it mostly separated from the cup holder.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An insulated cup holder includes an outer shell, an inner shell connected to and spaced from the outer shell, and a spacer. The outer shell includes an outer shell sidewall. An inside surface of the outer shell sidewall defines an interior space of the outer shell. The inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall. An upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall defines an open receiving end of the inner shell. An inside surface of the inner shell sidewall defines an open interior space of the inner shell. An area defined by the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall, such that the inner shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall. The inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell. The spacer is configured to be arranged in contact with and extending inward from the inner shell.

An area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall can be larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall, such that the outer shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall. A degree of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is preferably greater than a degree of the taper of the outer shell sidewall. An upper end of the inner shell can be fixed to an upper end of the outer shell. The outer shell can also include an outer shell base fixed to a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall. The inner shell can also include an inner shell base fixed to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall. The inner shell can be arranged within the interior space of the outer shell such that the inner shell sidewall is not in direct contact with the outer shell sidewall. The inner shell and the outer shell can be mutually attached, for example, only at the upper end of the inner shell and the upper end of the outer shell. The insulated cup holder can also include a lid that is removably attachable to the outer shell. The spacer can include a resilient material.

A cup and insulated cup holder assembly can include the insulated cup holder of claim 1, and a cup. The cup can include a cup sidewall, and a cup base having a periphery fixed to a distal edge of the cup sidewall. The cup sidewall can be shorter than the inner shell sidewall. An area of the cup base preferably is smaller than the area defined by the open receiving end of the inner shell. An area of the cup base preferably is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall. The cup can be arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall. The area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall can be larger than the area of the cup base, such that the cup sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall to the cup base. An amount of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is preferably greater than an amount of the taper of the cup sidewall. The cup is preferably arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented with reference to the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary insulated cup holder according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary insulated cup holder according to the invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary insulated cup holder holding an exemplary cup according to the invention, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary insulated cup holder according to the invention, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description includes the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an insulated cup holder 10 includes an outer shell 12, an inner shell 14, and, optionally, a lid 18. The outer shell 12 includes an outer wall 12 a and, optionally, a base 12 b. The inner shell 14 is arranged inside the outer shell 12 and is separated from the outer shell 12 by a first insulating volume (or gap) 16, and includes an inner shell wall 14 a, an inner shell top 14 c, and, optionally, an inner shell base 14 b. The outer and inner shells 12, 14 preferably are only attached or coupled to a minimal extent necessary to keep them mutually spaced apart, such as proximal to the inner wall top 14 c as shown. The volume 16 can be sealed from ambient air and at least partially evacuated to improve insulation, but this need not be the case. The contact between the inner shell 14 and the outer shell 12 can be a closed surface to allow the volume 16 to be sealed, or it can be a perforated or otherwise broken surface that minimizes the contact between the shells 12, 14 while maintaining a sturdy spaced relation between them. The inner shell 14 has a height H1, a top diameter D1, and a bottom diameter D2.

The insulated cup holder 10 can include a spacer that provides stability for a drinking cup held within the holder 10. For example, an annular ring 20 can be arranged inside the inner shell top 14 c of the inner shell 14, having an inside diameter D5 and a width W. The exemplary annular ring 20 is preferably made from silicone or a similar material that is resilient and can withstand hot or cold temperatures while providing good insulation. The optional lid 18 is preferably a domed or otherwise raised lid providing space for any top portion of the drinking cup 30 that extends above the top of the shells 12, 14. The outer shell wall 12 a need not be tapered; for example, it can be cylindrical. However, the outer shell wall 12 a can be tapered at a first taper angle T1, and the inner shell wall 14 a is tapered at a second taper angle T2. The taper angle T2 can be a greater or smaller taper than the taper angle T1, or they can be the same, depending on the type of drinking cup 30 intended to be held by the holder 10, and the desired outer grip angle desired for the user.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cup 30 includes a cup top 30 c having a cup top diameter. Preferably, the inside diameter D5 of the annular ring 20 (see FIG. 2) is smaller than or the same size as the cup top diameter, to allow the ring 20 to firmly hold the cup 30 in place in spaced relation to the inner shell 14. Sides 30 a of the cup 30 engage the annular ring 20 with a friction or interference fit to position the top of the cup 30 in the holder 10 and preferably to seal a volume 24 between the cup 20 and the inner shell 14, although such a seal is not necessary. Additionally, the taper T2 (see FIG. 2) of the inner shell walls 14 a is greater than a taper T3 of the cup 30, and as a result, the periphery of the bottom 30 b of the cup 30 rests against the walls 14 a of the inner shell 14, and above the base 14 b of the inner shell 14, minimizing contact between the cup 30 and the inner shell 14.

The cooperation of the inner shell walls 14 a and the cup walls 30 a position the cup 30 in the base 10 and provides the volume 24 between the cup 30 and inner shell 14 to further insulate the cup 30, and holds the cup bottom 30 b above the inner shell bottom 14 b providing a more stable fit of the cup 30 into the holder 10 than would be provided if the bottom of the cup 30 were to rest against the bottom of the cup holder 10. The cup 30 has a height H2, a top diameter D3, and a bottom diameter D4. The diameter D4 is preferably greater than the diameter D2 (see FIG. 2) so that the cup bottom 30 b does not reach the inner shell bottom 14d when the cup 30 resides in the cup holder 10. Therefore, the taper T2 of the inner shell 14 is preferably greater than the taper T3 of the cup 30. The taper T1 of the outer shell 12 preferably is also less than the taper T2 of the inner shell, so as to provide a comfortable user gripping taper on the outside of the holder 10. For example, the taper T1 of the outer shell 12 can approximate that of a typical drinking cup, such as the cup 30, providing a familiar taper angle for a user. In one embodiment, the height H2 is less than the height H1 and the cup 30 fits under the lid 18 when in the cup holder 10 and the lid 18 is in place.

The invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not strictly limited to the particularly disclosed embodiments. To the contrary, various modifications, as well as similar arrangements, are included within the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the appended claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest possible interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements. 

I claim:
 1. An insulated cup holder, comprising: an outer shell; an inner shell connected to and spaced from the outer shell; and a spacer; wherein the outer shell includes an outer shell sidewall; wherein an inside surface of the outer shell sidewall defines an interior space of the outer shell; wherein the inner shell includes an inner shell sidewall; wherein an upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall defines an open receiving end of the inner shell; wherein an inside surface of the inner shell sidewall defines an open interior space of the inner shell; wherein an area defined by the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall, such that the inner shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall; wherein the inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell; and wherein the spacer is configured to be arranged in contact with and extending inward from the inner shell.
 2. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein an area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall, such that the outer shell sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall to the lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall.
 3. The insulated cup holder of claim 2, wherein a degree of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is greater than a degree of the taper of the outer shell sidewall.
 4. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein an upper end of the inner shell is fixed to an upper end of the outer shell.
 5. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein the outer shell further includes an outer shell base fixed to a lower peripheral edge of the outer shell sidewall.
 6. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein the inner shell further includes an inner shell base fixed to the lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall.
 7. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein the inner shell is arranged within the interior space of the outer shell such that the inner shell sidewall is not in direct contact with the outer shell sidewall.
 8. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein the inner shell and the outer shell are mutually attached only at the upper end of the inner shell and the upper end of the outer shell.
 9. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, further comprising a lid that is removably attachable to the outer shell.
 10. The insulated cup holder of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a resilient material.
 11. A cup and insulated cup holder assembly, comprising: the insulated cup holder of claim 1; and a cup; wherein the cup includes: a cup sidewall; and a cup base having a periphery fixed to a distal edge of the cup sidewall; wherein the cup sidewall is shorter than the inner shell sidewall; and wherein an area of the cup base is smaller than the area defined by the open receiving end of the inner shell.
 12. The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of claim 11, wherein an area of the cup base is larger than an area defined by a lower peripheral edge of the inner shell sidewall.
 13. The cup and insulated cup holder assembly of claim 12, wherein the cup is arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall.
 14. The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of claim 11, wherein the area defined by an upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall is larger than the area of the cup base, such that the cup sidewall tapers from the upper peripheral edge of the cup sidewall to the cup base.
 15. The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of claim 14, wherein an amount of the taper of the inner shell sidewall is greater than an amount of the taper of the cup sidewall.
 16. The cup and insulated cup holder arrangement of claim 15, wherein the cup is arranged within the interior space of the inner shell such that the periphery of the cup base is supported by the inside surface of the inner shell sidewall. 